Jenny Craig made me worry about my weight. Now the company’s gone – but skinny culture remains

The dieting program is closing after 40 years. That doesn't mean we're moving towards body acceptance

I was 10 years old when I learned what bodies should - and shouldn't - look like. Kirstie Alley was on TV, pointing to a paparazzi photo of what her pudgy stomach looked like before she tried Jenny Craig's weight loss program. But after testing the brand's signature mix of dieting, meal plans and personal coaching, Alley showed off her new physique: smooth, with no bumps peeking out from her body-con dress.

Sitting cross-legged in front of the television, I peered down at my own stomach. It felt soft when I poked it. I decided it could be slimmer. That night, I went upstairs to my mother's scale and weighed myself. It was the first time I ever knew my weight.